We take the stress out of the unexpected with speakers
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TRIGGER WARNING:
Have you ever been in a situation in which your keynote speaker's flight gets canceled in the middle of your family dinner the night before their speaking slot? Or have a speaker's assistant reach out to tell you the speaker is sick and can no longer make it in the morning? The panic is rising in our stomachs' just reading that too!
It happens to the best of event planners.The unplanned can happen and the uncontrollable must be managed. But do you know what makes all the difference in taking the stress (even some of it) off of you in that moment? Having an agency, like Outspoken, to handle that cancellation burden.
Recently, Ruha Benjamin was traveling to Grinnell College to give their Spring Convocation speech. As Tori sat down to order dinner with her family, she got the text "Missed my connection because of weather - don't think there's another flight tonight"... Stomach drops, deep breath, and time to get to work. From calling each service provider to rearrange flights, hotel and car service to multiple calls and texts to the college host and Ruha, it took a few hours, but she was rescheduled on a flight for the next morning that would give her (at most!) 20-30 minutes of time upon arrival before the Convocation began. The host was able to relax for the evening, not call in staff after hours to help, and awaited the new itinerary with minimal involvement.
The most relieving part of the whole ordeal (besides SPOILER ALERT: she made it - see text screenshot) was having the event host say that the most important thing that matters is she is safe and sound and the rest will work itself out. And, luckily, it did! Sometimes it doesn't always work out that way, and that's just the name of the game in this industry. But having help to see it through makes a big difference!
When you work with Outspoken Agency, or any speaking agency, you are given a level of customer service that a non-exclusive/non-represented speaker cannot always provide. Our assurance for you is:
a timely response—whether you need something urgent or want to chat programming or feedback
consistent updates on any issues, including travel hiccups
weighing in on travel changes and cost occurrences together
confirmation once final arrangements are made and updates on arrivals
a contract guaranteeing a mutually agreed upon replacement speaker or your money back (typically for non-force majeure situations)
Insure your event's success by ensuring you work with a reputable speaking agency that can provide exactly what you need—even in the event of the unplanned!
Outspoken Agency is a women-owned speaking agency representing leaders, founders, public intellectuals, authors and entertainers for paid keynotes, workshops and panels at in-person and virtual events. Learn more about our female founders here.